THE MINERAL WHITEITE

Dims: 1.2" x 0.9" x 0.9"(3.0 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 16.5 g w/ base

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

The bulk of this specimen is made up of several stubby, barrel-shaped Whiteite crystals that have what appear to be a hexagonal cross-section. They have a pale beige coloration, vitreous luster, and are opaque. Their crystal form is good and they have a variety of striations and growth patterns on their faces. The largest crystal has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4"(1.5 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm), and the smallest crystal's dimensions are roughly half of those of the largest. The Whiteites dwarf the arrojadite crystals that are clustered on and around them. These tiny crystals have a deep golden color, a vitreous luster, and are transparent, but have heavy striations and internal fractures that disrupt their clarity. There are a few tiny quartz crystals and one or two damaged lazulites mixed in with the arrojadites. The specimen is hot-glued onto an acrylic base.

Dims: 0.8" x 0.7" x 0.5"(2.0 x 1.8 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 8.0 g w/ base

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

This specimen consists of a single Whiteite crystal. Though it is not quite complete, it is very well-formed, in a short barrel-shape. It is colored beige, and actually looks like orthoclase in color and visual texture. Its dimensions are 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4"(1.5 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm), and it has a vitreous luster and is opaque. There are several tiny crystals of quartz and arrojadite, and one large, damaged and incomplete lazulite crystal attached to the Whiteite. The specimen is hot-glued to an acrylic base.

Dims: 1.1 x 0.8 x 0.8" (2.8 x 2.0 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 17.0 g w/ specimen box

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

This small thumbnail specimen consists of at least 4 intergrown Whiteite crystals that extend off of a thin slab of an unidentified host rock. The largest of these crystals has dimensions of 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4" (1.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm). All appear to be in very good condition, though there is some visible damage to one crystal that rests near the specimen's base. Their monoclinic prismatic form is somewhat disseminated but still very good, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly luster. All are opaque and have a tan coloration. Accompanying the Whiteites are many lazulite crystals, several of which are damaged and incomplete. They have good form and the standard deep, navy-blue coloration and vitreous luster. There are also a few tiny siderites present. The specimen is hot-glued into a cubic plastic specimen box for display.

Dims: 0.7 x 0.6 x 0.5" (1.8 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 13.6 g w/ specimen box

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

A single hexagonal prismatic Whiteite crystal makes up the bulk of this small thumbnail specimen. There are at least 3 other crystals intergrown with it, but these are either much smaller or are broken and incomplete. The largest crystal is in very good condition, showing only a small amount of damge along its most exposed edge. Its form is good though the crystal is slightly flattened, and shows relatively well-defined edges and smooth faces that possess the standard pearly luster. It has the standard beige coloration and opacity that one expects of Whiteite, and rests on a base that is made up of broken and intergrown lazulite and quartz crystals. The specimen is hot-glued inside a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.8 x 0.7" (2.5 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 17.4 g w/ specimen box

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

Three separate and distinct Whiteite crystals rest on the lazulite base of this thumbnail specimen. The largest of these has visible dimensions of 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.2" (1.3 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm) and the others are approximately half that size. One of these is broken and not quite complete, but the others are intact and in good condition. Their hexagonal "barrel-shaped" form is very good, with well-defined edges and reasonably clean faces that possess a pearly luster. They have a beige coloration and are opaque. The lazulite that forms the base is crystalline, but shows considerable damage and heavy warping due to intergrowth. It also is coated with a substantial amount of rust. The specimen is mounted in a plastic specimen box for display.

Dims: 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.8" (3.0 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 27.1 g w/ base

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

A large cluster of heavily intergrown Whiteite crystals makes up the bulk of this specimen. Though they may have started out as separate crystals, they are aligned with each other and can be regarded as a single unit. Its dimensions make up nearly that of the entire specimen, and it is in good condition, though there is visible damage in two areas. Its monoclinic, pseudohexagonal "barrel-shaped" form is quite disseminated bit still definable. It has a beige coloration and a pearly luster, and is opaque. What little host rock is present consists of partly intact quartz crystals and broken lazulite and siderite crystals. The piece is hot-glued to a square acrylic base.

Dims: 0.7 x 0.6 x 0.5" (1.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 10.0 g w/ base

Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada

At least 5 Whiteite crystals are intergrown to make up this thumbnail specimen. One of these is broken and incomplete and another is slightly damaged, but the rest are intact and in excellent condition. The largest, which is the slightly damaged crystal, has dimensions of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5" (1.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 cm). All have good monoclinic, pseudohexagonal form- they occur in crystals that look slightly like small, hexagonal barrels, with double basal terminations that are slightly patterned and uneven. All have a tan or pale brown coloration and are dimly transparent at best. They possess a pearly luster and are accompanied by a few broken and incomplete lazulite crystals. There is no host rock present, and the piece is hot-glued onto a flat, square acrylic base.